Proverbs 13:11
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Original Language Analysis
מֵהֶ֣בֶל
gotten by vanity
H1892
מֵהֶ֣בֶל
gotten by vanity
Strong's:
H1892
Word #:
2 of 7
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
יִמְעָ֑ט
shall be diminished
H4591
יִמְעָ֑ט
shall be diminished
Strong's:
H4591
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, to pare off, i.e., lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Proverbs 20:21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.Proverbs 10:2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.Proverbs 28:8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.Proverbs 28:20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.Proverbs 28:22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.Psalms 128:2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.Jeremiah 17:11As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.Job 20:15He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.
Historical Context
Reflects wisdom tradition's emphasis on honest labor versus schemes to acquire quick wealth. Ancient con games and gambling depleted resources as surely as modern versions.
Questions for Reflection
- How much of your wealth-building strategy relies on honest labor versus 'vanity' shortcuts?
- What 'vain' wealth-seeking should you abandon for patient, diligent work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished, but he that gathers by labor shall increase. Ill-gotten wealth (hebel - vapor, vanity) dissipates quickly; honestly earned wealth grows. The verse distinguishes between legitimate and illegitimate wealth acquisition. Shortcuts to riches (gambling, fraud, get-rich-quick schemes) lead to loss. Patient, honest labor builds lasting wealth. The principle: means matter, not just ends.